Kangwa Musenga calls for workers’ debt relief, warns against exploitative lending

By Derrick Sinjela
Preaching a ‘Workers First. Rights Always’ mantra, Dr. Kangwa Musenga, Secretary-General of the Professional Teachers Union of Zambia (PROTUZ) and aspiring president of the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) is seeking debt relief measures for workers struggling under the burden of multiple loans and high-interest lending arrangements.
In a Wednesday, 11th November 2026 Press Statement circulated from Lusaka, the Zambian capital city, Dr. Musenga says many Zambian workers are increasingly trapped in debt, with a substantial portion of their monthly salaries going towards loan repayments, leaving them with inadequate take-home pay to meet their basic household needs.
Dr. Musenga says the situation has undermined the financial wellbeing of workers, despite their continued commitment to serving their employers and contributing to national development.
“Workers should not work throughout the month only to receive salaries that are largely swallowed by loan repayments. A worker must be able to take home a reasonable salary to support their family, pay school fees, meet household expenses and live with dignity,” Dr. Musenga said.
Dr. Musenga has expressed concern over lending practices by some financial institutions and money lenders, which he says can leave workers financially vulnerable through high interest rates, multiple deductions and unfavourable repayment conditions.
Dr. Musenga says workers, particularly those relying on monthly salaries, should not be trapped in a cycle of borrowing where new loans are taken to settle existing debts.
Dr. Musenga has therefore called for a structured debt relief initiative that would give over-indebted workers an opportunity to reorganise their financial obligations, review repayment arrangements and regain control of their monthly incomes.
Dr. Musenga says the ZCTU, working with its affiliated unions, should explore partnerships with reputable financial institutions to establish accessible and affordable credit facilities for workers.
Dr. Musenga believes that the collective strength of trade unions can be used to negotiate favourable lending arrangements that offer reasonable interest rates, transparent terms and manageable repayment periods.
“A stronger ZCTU must go beyond negotiating salaries and conditions of service. We must also address the financial challenges that affect workers after they receive their salaries.
Workers need access to affordable credit through their unions so that they are not forced to depend on exploitative lending arrangements that leave them with nothing at the end of the month,” Dr. Musenga said.
Dr. Musenga says affiliated unions should take an active role in facilitating access to non-exploitative credit facilities so that members can borrow responsibly without sacrificing their financial security.
Dr. Musenga has also called for financial literacy programmes to equip workers with knowledge of borrowing, budgeting, debt management and responsible financial planning.
Dr. Musenga says workers’ welfare should not be measured by gross salaries alone but also by the amount they retain after statutory deductions and loan repayments.
Dr. Musenga says his campaign for the ZCTU presidency, under the slogan “A Stronger ZCTU. A Stronger Voice for Workers,” will prioritise practical interventions aimed at improving workers’ living standards, financial security and dignity. – Kangwa Musenga Campaign Team Zambia ends